Elastic band transferring apparatus



c, w. MQTT ELASTIC BAND TRANSFERRING APPARATUS Original Filed Nov. 20,1948 llllllllllil.

mmvroa, C222! 1% Kai United States Patent- O 2,887,767 ELASTIC BANDTRANSFERRJNG APPARATUS Carl W. Mott, Lake Ozark, Mo., assignor, by mesneassignments, toThe Kendall Company,-Boston, Mass., a corporation ofMassachusetts a Original application November 20, 1948, Serial No.61,224, now Patent No. 2,709,836, dated June 7, 1955. Divided and thisapplication October 11, 1954, Serial No. 461,587

11 Claims. c1. 29208) This invention concerns apparatus for transferringelas tie bands and more particularly concerns such an apparatus andmethod employing an instrumentality inserted into a rubber band in theform of a loop, expanding the rubber band by means of suchinstrumentality to form oppositely disposed taut flights of thebandwhile moving such band transversely of and toward an end portion ofa receiving structure upon whichthe band is to be. deposited in grippingembracing relation, and effecting the deposit of the band upon thereceiving structure end por-. tion by first carrying one of the tautflights against a side of the structure and continuing the motion of theother Fig. 2 is an elevational view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Figs. 3 through 8 fragmentarily illustrate the lower end portion of anelastic band receiving tube of a tampon assembling mechanism, togetherwith elastic band transfen-ing fingers of the mechanism shown in Figs. 1and 2 at-respective successive stages in their operation in depositingan elastic band onto such tube.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary elevational view showing an end portion of ashaft which support one of two rubber band picker fingers of the rubberband transferring mechanism.

Fig. 10' is a view looking upwardly on the shaft portion of Fig. 9 andalso showing a slideable sleeve and a second elastic .band picker fingeron such sleeve for operating complementally with the picker finger onsaid shaft portion.

Referring. now to Figs. Land 2, the elastic band transferring apparatusis arranged about a vertical shaft structure 175 through which power istransmitted to the apparatus. Shaft 175 extends upwardly through asleeve 177 in which said shaft is journalled, the sleeve being .1mounted within holes 178 of frame cross members 179 flight across andbeyond the end of such structure and 1948, now Patent No. 2,709,836,dated June 7, 1955, for H Machine for and Method of Making SurgicalSponges,

discloses a subcombination of said machine. The entire machine disclosedin said parent application is operable to produce surgical spongescomprising a jacket of moisture pervious gauze having a central portionformed into a globular sack-like formation encasinga body of moistureabsorbing material, and the edge portions ofthe gauze piece beinggathered together at the neck of the sack and inverted thereinto throughthe loopof an elastic band disposed within the sack and contracted atsuch neck onto the gathered edge portions for retainingthe' spongeassembled with the gathered edge portions of the gauze and the fillingmaterial contained within the sack like jacket. Said machine includes anelastic band-forming mechanism having a proifering section and alsoincludes a sponge assembling sectionwhere thegauze, filling material andthe elastic band are assembledintofthe finished product. The generalobject of this invention is the provision of a novel apparatus andmethod fforextracting the rubber bands from the profiering section ofthe rubber band forming mechanism and transferring these bands to thesponge assembling section where the bands are deposited in a grippingembracing relation about an end portion of a receiving member thereforconstituting a partof the spongeassembling section of the machine.

The above and more specific objects inherent in and encompassed by theinvention are elucidated in theljim suing description, the appendedclaims and the annexed drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of elastic band transferring anism constituting apreferred embodiment of thls'mvention and showing in associationtherewith'a cross sec tional view, taken at the line 1--1 of Fig. la, ofa delivery station containing a rubber band which the mechanism isadapted to pick up and transfer. M v

Fig. 1a is a fragmentary elevational view at the plane indicated by theline 1a- -1a in Fig l showing elementslof the elastic band deliverylstatlon.

which are supported upon frame uprights 181 and 182, Fig. .2."nconstant' rotation is imparted to the vertical shaft structure bycompanion beveled gears 183 and 184 .which arerespectively constrainedfor rotation with a constantly rotated cross shaft 83 and said shaftstructure. i i

A proifering or delivery station D, Figs. 1 and 1a, is part of anelastic band'forming and delivery apparatus disclosed in the parentapplication. It is from this delivery station D that the presentapparatus picks up an elastic band 39. and transfers the same to andonto an end portioniof a tubular member 64 of a surgical sponge formingdevice which is unnecessary to illustrate in the present specification.Elements of the delivery station D include backand front plates 212 and217 spaced laterally to receive a flat plunger 216 which is end-wisereciprocated for successively delivering elastic hands into theproffered position. illustrated in Figs. 1 and 1a. Upper and lowerplates 218 and 219 cooperate with the plates 212 and 217 to enclose andform a passage in which the plunger 216 reciprocates and through whichthe plunger pushes the elastic bands into the proffering position.Projections 223 and 224 respectively at the right end of the lower edgeof'plate 218 and at the right end of the upper edges of the plate 219constitute stop means against which theelastic band are abuttable toassure the plunger pushing them no further than the position thereofillustrated in Figs. 1 and 1a. A leaf spring S has its upper endanchored to an extension X of the upper plate 218 by a cap screw Ywhereas a similar leaf spring S has its lower end anchored to anextensionZ of the plate 219 by a second' cap screw Y. These leaf springsprevent accidental dislodgement of the profferred bands 39 from thedelivery section D. Registering notches 222 in the rear and front plates212 and 217 and notche 225 in the pushing end of the ,plungerf216provide clearance for parts associated with elastic band picking fingers291 and 292 of the band transferring apparatus.

The present apparatus, as just mentioned, includes the paired pickingfingers 291--292 which are separable, but while moved together asillustrated in Fig. 1, enter into the rubber "band at thedeliv'erystation D of the rubber band forming and feeding apparatus. In thismanner the picking fingers hook such rubber band (the term rubber banybeing used herein and in the appended claims to denote a band of anyelastic material) and sweep it from the delivery section D. After thuspicking the rubber band, the. fingers are spread apart while moving in acircular path about the axis ofthe shaft 175. This path is representedby the dot-dash line 293 in Fig. l.

Spreading of the fingers 291292 stretches the rubber band, and while itis in the stretched condition these fingers are operated in a mannerpresently described and as illustrated in Figs. 3 to 8 to deposit therubber band on the lower end of the tube 64 of the tampon assemblingmechanism. After depositing the rubber band on the tube 64 the pickingfingers continue their movement about the circular path 293 and areagain closed together preparatory to picking up another rubber band atthe delivery station D.

The outer picking finger 291, projects laterally from a plate 294mounted on a fiat face 295, Fig. 9, upon an end portion of a shaft 296by a pair of screws 297. A shoulder 298 is formed at the root portion ofthe finger 291 to limit the distance a rubber band may be insertedthereonto. A fin-like projection 299 projects endwise from the plate 294to assure removal of the rubber bands from the delivery station. Theface 295 on the shaft 296 is so disposed with respect to thelongitudinal axis of the shaft that such axis coincides with thelongitudinal axis of the plate 294. The picking fingers 291292 are, ofcourse, disposed eccentrically of such axis and project radiallytherefrom. Shaft 296 is carried rotatively and endwise movably within abearing 301 passing diametrically of the upright shaft 175 and through ametal block 303 welded to and interposed between upper and. lowercoaxial portions of said shaft for rotation therewith. A squared section304 of the shaft 296, Figs. 9'and 10, reciprocally carries a sleeve 305to rotate therewith, whereas a collar 307, Fig. 1, which is constrainedagainst rotation is disposed in a shifter groove 306 encircling thesleeve 305 and is operable for shifting the sleeve endwise upon theshaft 296.

An axial slot 308 in a flange 309 at one side of the groove 306 receivesan end portion of a plate 310 which has the finger 292 formed integrallytherewith. That portion of the finger-carrying plate 310 disposed in theslot 308 is connected to the flange 309 by brazing.

Intermittent rotative movement is imparted to the shaft 296 by a pinion311 slidably mounted upon a squared right end portion of the shaft asviewed in Fig. 2. This pinion is constrained against endwise movement byarms 316-317 which project laterally from a metal bar 318 projectingendwise from the block 303 upon which it is suitably mounted. Pinion 311cooperates with the toothed portion 319 of mutilated ring gear 321 whichhas a hub 322, Fig. 2, secured non-rotatively upon the nonrotatablebearing sleeve 177. Said hub 322 has an axial split, not shown, passingbetween apertured ears 323. i

Axially aligned apertures 324 in these ears are adapted to receive abolt 320 which together with a threaded nut, not shown, on the endthereof is adapted to draw the two apertured ears together into clampedrelation onto the nonrotatable bearing sleeve 177. The shank of saidbolt registers tangentially with and extends into a circumferentialgroove 325 in the sleeve 177' to key the hub 322 against endwisemovement on such sleeve.

A cam groove 326 formed in the upper face of the body of the gear 321circumscribes the vertical axis of such stationary gear as shown inFig. 1. This cam groove has a rise portion 327 extending between a lowportion 328 and a high portion 329. A fall portion 331 of decreasingradius extends between the high and low portions.

Cam groove 326 receives a cam follower'roller 332 depending from theunder side of aplate-like lever 333 which is pivotally mounted on afixed pivot in the form of a pin 334 anchored in and projecting upwardlyfrom the metal block 303. Oneend of the lever 333 is'pivotally connectedat 335 with a link structure 336 which is adjustable in length. Theopposite end of. this link structure is pivotally connected at 337 witha collar. 338 which is.

journaled upon the cylindrical intermediate section. of the rotatableand endwise shiftable shaft 296. The collar 4 338 is journaled in agroove 339 of a sleeve 341 having flanges 342 and 343 on opposite sidesof said groove. A rigid connection between the sleeve 341 and the shaft296 is attained by means of a pin 344 extending diametrically throughthese parts.

The adjustable link 336 comprises a pair of end members 345346 havingthreaded sockets 347348 for respectively receiving threaded end portionsof a rod 349. Lock nuts 351 prevent rotation of the rod 349. Acorresponding link structure 352 has its end portions respectivelypivotally connected at 353 with the collar 307 and at 354 with theplate-like lever 333. The pivotal connection 335 of the link structure336 with the lever 333 is adjustable lengthwise of the lever (radiallyof its fixed pivot 334) within an arcuate slot 355 having the pivotconnection 337 coincident with the center of generation of such slot.Adjustment of the pivot connection 335 lengthwise of the slot 355 willchange the distance the collar 338, and consequently the shaft 296, areaxially moved pursuant to a given pivotal movement of the lever 333. Aslot 356 corresponding to the slot 355 provides adjustment for the pivotconnection 354 radially of the fixed pivot for the lever 333, whereforethe link structure 352 can be caused to impart a different amount ofaxial movement to the collar 307 per unit of pivotal movement of saidlever. The arcuate slot 356 has its center of generation coincident withthe axis of the pivotal connection 353 while the lever 333 is in theFig. 1 position. This facilitates adjustment of the pivotal connection354 endwise of the slot 356 without disturbing the position of the lever333 or the collar 307. Also the disposition of the arcuate slot 355enables the pivotal connection 335 to be adjusted lengthwise of thisslot without disturbing lever 333 or the axial position of the collar338 while the lever is in the Fig. 1 position.

In the operation of the rubber band transferring mechanism forsuccessively picking up rubber bands from the station D in Fig. 1 anddepositing these rubber bands upon the lower end portion of the tube 64of the tampon assembling mechanism, the cam follower. 332, Fig. 1, willbe traversing the cam groove 326 in a counter-clockwise direction, andthis cam follower will be in the low portion 328 of the cam slot for aperiod prior to and during registration of the picking fingers 291-292with a rubber band 39 at station D. While the cam follower is in the lowportion of the cam slot the plate-like lever 333 will be at a clockwiselimit of oscillative movement about the pivot 334. This lever willtherefore have exerted endwise thrust through the link structures 336and 352 for moving the collar 338 to the right into the positionillustrated in Fig. 1 and for moving the collar 307 to the left into theposition illustrated in Fig. 1. Such movement of the collar 338 causesendwise movement of the shaft 296 and of the picking finger 291. Suchendwise movement of the collar 307 causes like movement of the sleeve305 and of the picking finger 292 whereby these two picking fingers291292 are disposed in their contiguous closed position illustrated inFig. 1. As the thus closed fingers 291292 arrive at the delivery stationD, these fingers will enter the loop configured rubber band in an axialdirection. The spring fingers S, Fig. 111 at the delivery station D areengaged by diametrically opposite sides of the rubber band as it isbeing entered by the picking fingers, and these springs are effectivefor first pushing the rubber band entirely onto the fingers so that itwill finally be lodged upon root portions thereof immediately adjacentlyto shoulders 298 and 357. The springs S allow the picking fingers 291292and the band thereon to pass therebetween and then spring back againstthe plates 218 and 219.

As the picking fingers follow along the circular path 293 toward thetampon assembling mechanism (see tube 64 of such. mechanism in Figs.3-8) the cam. follower 332 will transverse the rise portion 327' of theclosed cam groove 326 and will eventually reach the beginning of thehigh" portion 329. During traversal of the rise portion the lever 333will be pivoted counterclockwise, thereby pulling upon the two linkstructures 336352 causing the fingers 291--292 to move respectivelyradially outwardly and radially inwardly from the circular path 293equal distances. When the cam follower 332 reaches the high portion ofthe cam, the fingers 291-292 will be spread sufliciently to pass uponopposite sides of the tampon assembling apparatus tilbe-64.

Immediately prior to the tips of the pickingfingers 291292 reachingregistration of the tampon assembling apparatus tube 64 the pinion 311will commence to mesh with one end of the row of teeth 319 of themutilated gear 321. Prior to the pinion 311 reaching the gear teeth 319,a flat face 358 of this pinion, which is'also mutilated, Fig. 2, wasbeing carried in sliding'relation with the semi-circular flat faceportion 359 of the' 'fixed mutilated rack or gear 321. In this mannerthe complementally engaged faces 358 and 359 maintain the pickingfingers 291292 in a horizontal plane and pointing in the direction oftheir movement along the path 293. The row of gear or rack teeth 319 hasjust enough teeth to impart a single complete revolution to the pinion311 and consequently to the shaft 296 and the parts constrained forrotation therewith including the' picking fingers 291--292. Swingingmotion thus imparted to -the picking fingers about the axis of the shaft296 causes these fingers to be manipulated with respect to the lower endof the tube 64 in the manner illustratedin the successive stages ofmovement illustrated in Figs. 3 to '8;

In Fig. 3 it can be seen that asthe fingers 291--292 approach the tube64 (only the finger 291 being visible in Figs. 3 to 8) these fiingerswill be at the same stage of elevation as a lower end portion of suchtube, whereby the upper flight of the rubber band 39 upon these fingerswill be disposed a short distance above the lower endof the tube.Rotation of the pinion 311 and the j'consequent swinging of the fingers291-292 will be clockwise as viewed in Figs. 3 to 8. This clockwiseswinging of the fingers commences in time that, the tips thereof will beprojected upwardly along opposite sides of the tube at the time theupper flight of the rubber band engages the approach side of the tube.This position is illustrated in Fig. 4. At a subsequent stage in theoperation the fingers will be swung sufiiciently far to elevate thelower flight of the rubber band for projecting it upwardly on to theopposite side of the tube as illustrated in Fig: 5. Later, the swingingfingers are carried beyond registration with the tube while holding theprevious lower flight of the rubber band above the lower edge of thetube as accommodated by the elasticity of the rubber band which is thenstretched as illustrated in Fig. 6. Immediately thereafter the fingersare swung sufliciently far to -release the stretched band and guide theformer lower flight thereof onto said opposite side of the tube incidentto the band contracting on to the tube, Fig. 7. By the time the pimon311 has been rotated 180 and the picking fingers swung through 180 thesefingers will occupy the position 11- lustrated in Fig. 8 with respect tothe tube 64. By the time the pinion 311 traverses the row of gear (rack)teeth 319 this pinion and the fingers will have moved through 360 andwill be maintained in this position the slidably contacting faces358359. At thistime the cam follower 332 will be caused to traverse thefall port on 331 of the cam groove 326 and thereby cause pivot ng of thelever plate 333 for exerting thrust through the hnk structures 336-352for bringing the fingers 291292 together preparatory to commencinganother cycle nvolving picking up a succeeding rubber band which willhave been placed at the delivery station D, 7

It is contemplated that the present apparatus will be employed in amachine for making different size tampons and in some instances willaccomplish this by the substitution of tubes 64 of diiferent diameter.This would spread apart correspondingly different distances whilestraddling these ditferent tubes. This is whythe picking fingers aremoved in opposite radial directions with respect to the axis of theshaft 175 when being spread, so that when an adjustment is made in thedistance of their spreading, the median point between these fingers willregister with each of the tubes; that is, the fingers 291-292 willalways pass equal distances from diametrically opposite sides of any ofthe difierent diameter tubes as 64. Selective predetermined spread ofthe fingers 291--292 is attainable by adjusting the pivot connections335 and 354 in their respective associated arcuate slots 355356 of theplate-like lever 233.

Having described a single preferred embodiment of the invention with theview of clearly and concisely'illustrating the same, I claim:

1. Elastic band assembling apparatus comprising a frame; a rotatablecarrier journalled in said frame; a rubber band feeding mechanism spacedradially from said carrier, said mechanism having a rubber band deliverysection wherein rubber bands are successively presented in a planesubstantially parallel with and projecting generally radially of theaxis about which the carrier rotates; a rubber band transferringinstrumentality mounted in said carrier and having contiguous rubberband picker fingers spaced in the same radial direction from the carrieraxis and projecting substantially perpendicularly'to said axis'and inthe direction of movement of such fingers by the rotating carrier, saidfingers being so disposed radially and axially of the carrier as toproject into a band at the delivery section for causing deposit thereofonto said fingers and removal thereof from said delivery sectionpursuant to rotation of the carrier, said picker fingers being separableradially of the carrier to stretch the rubber band and create tautflights thereof spaced apart axially of the'carrier, means for soseparating the fingers, and means for rotating said picker fingers aboutan axis extending substantially radially of the carrier; a rubber bandreceiving tube disposed in substantial parallelism with the carrier axisand spaced circumferentially of such axis from the rubber hand deliverysection to be approached by the picker fingers subsequent to theirpicking up a band, said receiving'tube having a side of an end portiondisposed for intercepting one of the stretched rubber band flights whilethe other flight of such band is swept transversely past the end of suchtube, said means for separating the picker fingers being operable priorto their reaching said receiving tube, said finger rotating means beingoperable concurrently with the one flight of the band colliding withsaid side of the tube end portion, said fingers straddling the tubeduring such rotation, and the rate of rotation thereof being suflicientto reverse the direction in which such fingers are pointed in time torelease said band and deposit the other flight thereof upon the oppositeside of said tube end portion.

2. Elastic band transferring apparatus comprising a frame, a rotatablecarrier journalled in said frame, a rubber band transferringinstrumentality mounted in said carrier and comprising contiguous rubberband picker fingers spaced radially from the carrier axis and projectingsubstantially perpendicular thereto in the direction of movement thereofby the rotating carrier, said picker fingers having band carryingportions receivable of a rubber band mutually circumscribing thefingers, rubber band feeding means adapted to hold a rubber band inposition to be entered by said fingers pursuant to depositing such handonto the band carrying portions thereof and withdrawing the band fromsaid feeding means during rotation of the carrier, a rubber bandreceiving member spaced from said feeding means circumferentially of thecarrier axis, said member being disposed'adjacently to a circular pathtransversed by the band-carrying fingers during rotation of the carrier,said fingers being separable radially of the carrier, means forseparating the fingers prior to their reaching regmake it dmirableforthe picking fingers 291- 292 to be istration with said member, andmeans for rotating said fingers about an axis extending radially of thecarrier to place them in position for straddling the member while inregistration therewith circumferentially of the carrier axis pursuant todepositing the rubber band thereunto.

3. Elastic band transferring apparatus comprising a frame, a rotatablecarrier journalled in said frame for rotation about an axis, means forrotating the carrier, a rubber band transferring instrumentality mountedin said carrier for translation thereby about said axis when the carrieris rotated and having contiguous rubber band picker fingers spaced inthe same direction radially from the carrier axis and projectingsubstantially perpendicularly thereto in the direction of movementthereof by the rotating carrier, said picker fingers having rootportions and band carrying portions receivable of a rubber band mutuallycircumscribing the fingers, said fingers being separable radially of thecarrier to stretch a rubber band thus mounted thereon to create tautflights of such band spaced apart axially of the carrier, means for soseparating the fingers, and means for rotating said separated fingersabout an axis adjacently to the roots thereof and directed radially ofthe carrier during rotation of the carrier, said finger rotating meansbeing operable to rotate the fingers with continuous movement to projectoppositely to the direction of translation thereof by the carrier.

4. Elastic band transferring apparatus comprising a frame, a rotatablecarrier journalled in said frame, a rubber band transferringinstrumentality mounted in said carrier for translation thereby pursuantto rotation thereof and having contiguous rubber band picker fingersspaced in the same direction radially from the carrier axis andprojecting substantially perpendicularly thereto in the direction ofmovement thereof by the rotating carrier, said picker fingers havingroot portions and band carrying portions receivable of a rubber bandmutually circumscribing the fingers, said fingers being'separableradially of the carrier to stretch a rubber band thus mounted thereon tocreate taut flights of such band, a cam follower connected with one ofsaid fingers for separating it from the other finger when the camfollower is displaced radially of the rotating carrier, a cam having aprofile circumscribing the carrier axis, the cam profile being incontrol of said cam follower to change its position radially of suchaxis pursuant to rotation of the carrier and means for rotating saidseparated fingers about an axis adjacently to the roots thereof anddirected radially of the carrier during rotation of the carrier, saidfinger rotating means being operable to rotate the fingers withcontinuous movement to project oppositely to the direction oftranslation thereof by the carrier.

5. Elastic band transferring apparatus comprising a frame, a rotatablecarrier journalled in said frame, a rubber band transferringinstrumentality mounted in said carrier for rotation therewith andhaving contiguous rubber band picker fingers spaced in the samedirection radially from the carrier axis and projecting substantiallyperpendicularly thereto in the direction of movement thereof by therotating carrier, said picker fingers having band carrying portionsreceivable of a rubber band mutually circumscribing the fingers, afinger carrying rod mounted in and extending radially of said carrierfor rotation and for endwise movement therein, a picker finger carryingcollar slidable endwise on said rod and constrained for rotationtherewith, said picker fingers being respectfully connected with saidrod and said collar for movement therewith, a cam profile extendingcircumferentially of the rotational axis of the rotatable carrier, alever pivotally mounted on said carrier, a cam follower mounted on saidlever and disposed into cooperative relation with the cam profile forcausing pivoting of the lever alternately in opposite directions, andlinks respectively connecting said lever with said rod and with saidcollar for causing concurrent movement thereof in opposite directionsaxially of the rod to cause said fingers to be alternately separated andreturned to their contiguous relation,

said fingers being operable when separated to stretch a rubber bandmounted thereon to create taut flights of such band andmeans operablewhile the fingers are separated for rotating the rod, the collar and thefingers about the rodaxis to rotate the fingers with continuous movementfrom the status of projecting somewhat in the direction of translationthereof by the carrier to the status of projecting somewhat in theopposite direction of such translation;

6. The combination set forth in claim 5 wherein the means for rotatingthe fingers comprises a mutilated pinion constrained for rotation withsaid rod, and a mutilated gear circumscribing the carrier axis, saidgear being cooperable with said pinion for imparting a completerevolution thereto during a portion of each revolution of the carrier.

7. The combination set forth in claim 6 wherein said cam and saidmutilated gear are so relatively oriented circumferentially of thecarrier axis that said rod and said fingers are rotated subsequent tothe separation of said fingers and while said fingers are separated, andsaid fingers are moved to their contiguous relation subsequent torotation thereof and of the rod during each revolution of the carrier.

8. An elastic band transferring instrumentality comprising a carrier,finger supporting parts mounted on said carrier, elastic band carryingfingers respectively upon said parts, means for periodically displacingsaid fingers from a position of contiguity into laterally-spacedparallelism for stretching the band and subsequently restoring them tosaid contiguity, said carrier being movable for translating saidfingers, means for so moving the carrier, said parts supporting saidfingers for rotating from a first position wherein they point at leastpartially in the direction of their translation by the carrier to asecond position; wherein they point at least partially oppositely to thedirection of such translation, and means for rotating the fingers intimed relation with the means for moving the carrier and with the fingerdisplacing means to effect an uninterrupted rotation of the fingers fromthe first position to the second position while separated and duringtranslation thereof by the carrier.

9. An elastic band transferring instrumentality comprising a carrier,finger supporting means rotatably supported on said carrier, elasticband supporting fingers disposed upon such supporting means andprojecting therefrom in substantially the same direction radially of therotational axis of such supporting means while spaced apart axially ofsuch axis, said carrier being movable for imparting translatory motionto said fingers, transversely of the rotational axis of said supportingmeans, means for rotating the finger supporting means to determine theposition of said fingers circumferentially of the supporting means axis,said rotating means being operable during initial translation of thefingers to point them in the direction of such translation and beingoperable to swing the fingers at least in excess of with a continuousmovement during ensuing translation thereof.

10. Elastic band transferring apparatus comprising a frame, elastic bandfeeding means mounted on said frame, an elastic band receiving structuremounted on said frame in spaced relation from said feeding means, and anelastic band transferring instrumentality comprising separable elasticband picking fingers and mounted in said frame for movement to carrysaid fingers successively past said feeding means and said receivingstructure, means for so moving said instrumentality, said fingers beingadapted to enter a band in said feeding means while being movedtherepast to pick the band from said feeding means, means for separatingsaid fingers to expand and create taut flights of such band thereonduring their ensuing movement to the receiving structure, the separatedfingers being disposed for straddling a projecting end portion of saidreceiving structure to catch a flight of such band thereon while movingtherepast, and means for rotating the fingers with continuous movementwhile straddling said structure, from a position wherein they project atleast partially in the direction of their path from said feeding meansto said structure, to a position wherein they project at least partiallyin the opposite direction, to thereby release the second flight of suchband and direct contraction of such band onto said structure.

11. An instrumentality adapted to transfer an elastic band to, andassemble it over, a projecting receiving body, comprising a carrier,finger supporting parts mounted on said carrier, elastic band carryingfingers respectively upon said parts, said carrier being movable fortranslating said fingers, means for so moving the carrier, said partsbeing relatively movable to alternatively juxtapose and separate saidfingers and supporting said fingers for rotating in laterally-spacedparallelism from a first position straddling such a receiving bodywherein they point at least partially in the direction of theirtranslation by the carrier to a second position straddling the bodywherein they point at least partially oppositely to the direction ofsuch translation, means for so relatively moving said parts, and meansfor uninterruptedly rotating the fingers from the first position to thesecond position while they are separated and during the translation ofsaid parts from one side of such a body to the other whereby an elasticband carried by said fingers is assembled over said projecting receivingbody.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

